Understanding how gut bacteria produce tiny vesicles
Official title: Biogenesis of outer membrane vesicles in human gut bacteria
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10997408 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny bubbles made by gut bacteria called Bacteroides, which are important for keeping our gut healthy and supporting our immune system, to learn more about how they are made and how they might affect our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $733,521 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI181213-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997408 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with gastrointestinal conditions or those interested in gut microbiota health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no gastrointestinal issues or those not interested in gut health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the production of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) by Bacteroides, a common type of bacteria in the human gut. These vesicles play important roles in gut health and immune system development. The study uses advanced molecular tools to differentiate between genuine vesicles and byproducts from bacterial cell lysis, aiming to identify the genes responsible for vesicle formation. By understanding this process, researchers hope to uncover how these vesicles contribute to health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into gut health and potential therapies for related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding bacterial vesicle production, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feldman, Mario — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Feldman, Mario
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.